GUNNY2 X ABNER LITTER - WEEK FIVE

It has been a busy, busy, busy day with a vet appointment for Charlotte, who is having five puppies but my vet was behind schedule which put the rest of my day on 'delay'.

I had a wonderful friend stop by, which I enjoyed immensely and as I told her 'if you don't take the opportunity to spend some time with friends, it might be too late another day.  Right after she left and I was getting my equipment set up for pics, our neighbors stopped by and that pushed me back once again!

Finally, it was picture time but it took three sessions for me to be happy with the results, so better late than lousy pics, right??

I now feed the pups three times a day to take a load off of Gunny. She goes in to nurse when and if she wants to as I know the pups eat well.  This process works well for everyone and Gunny decides when she wants to totally wean her pups.

I have extended their pen space to include an 'Interaction Square' for them to check out and pull on and they now have a bed in their pen. Next week, I will remove the bed and put in a couple of crates for them to investigate and get use to.  By the way, they have teeth!

To the pics with Mr. Floppy Ears!  HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Orange Boy weighs 3  3/4 lbs.

Green Boy weighs 3  1/2 lbs.

Teal Boy weighs 3  1/4 lbs.

Rainbow Girl weighs 3  1/2 lbs.

Purple Girl weighs 3  1/2 lbs. and is using Floppy's ear as a blanket. She is ready for a nap!

Blue Boy is almost at 4 lbs. and is the largest in the litter.  3  7/8 lbs.

Charlotte gets her x-ray tomorrow.

Her guardian sent me this lovely pic of her in such a 'Motherly' pose.

'How much longer?'

I see spots.....

This new switch is making me dizzy but the pups seem to be doing fine.

My Froggie is in a separate area for now and today brought two soft 'houses' for them to check out and new 'designer' carpet for their feet. Ha, ha!

While I was changing the turf lined litter box for pellets and a rack, the pups played in the pup room with Mr. Froggie.  They get more brave every day!  Their little feet need to get use to different textures hence the pellets and rack.  The rack is inserted upside down so it is even with the pellets until they grow just a bit more.  Plus this gives them time to get accustomed to walking on the rack - lumpy bumpy footing is important to developing balance.  In a few more days, I will be able to reverse it so that most of their poops will go through the slats and they stay cleaner.  Once that happens, Gunny is no longer in charge of poop clean up, I am!  How lucky am I???

Two of the pups are trying to get through the door - just like kids!

Checking out the new digs and the litter box.

Some are just more curious than others.

The 'houses' are made of cloth and fold down easily. Seems a couple of them
prefer sleeping outside of them than in them! Crazy pups!

Week Four - A few 'firsts'

This is the week to begin introducing lots of 'firsts' for the pups. They are exposed to one new 'first' per day beginning the day they turned four weeks. 

• walked in the pup room, not only their pen
• a water bowl was brought in and they had their first meal
• rubber squares were removed for more 'viewing' and Mr. Froggie put in their pen

Today, as I was cleaning, they were walking around the pup room doing much more exploring than they did the first time - progress!

Blue Boy was still sleeping when I took this pic. I had to wake him up so he could try a lick.

They seem to like Mr. Froggie. Every litter has.  He is well worn.  :+)

FOURTH WEEK - GUNNY X ABNER

Well, here we are, the beginning of the fourth week for these little munchkins.  They walk, talk, see, hear, do a bit of mouth wrestling and get scared easily.  The pups now are aware of their world and it IS a bit scary!

As I weighed each pup today, I placed them on the floor to see what they would do.  None of them are 'explorers' at the moment. Some took a few steps this way or that, but were NOT 'Dora Explorers'.  There was quite a bit of whining and a shiver or two.  This was their first exposure to anything other than their protective pen. It will take daily exposure for them to get comfortable but it will only take a short period for them to acclimate, then they will start yelling to get out all the time!

We are in the midst of a bedroom renovation - adding a half bath, and it is slow going!  Hopefully, we will be done by the end of the week.  I could do a couple of visits during this week if any of you are so inclined. Grandchildren will be coming for Easter Weekend, so no visits - it is family time.

The week of April 2 is busy with Charlotte's stay here for her whelping and vet appointments. However, I am happy to have visitors on the weekend of April 7th and 8th.  I generally can do 3 appointments per day at 11am, 1 and 3 pm.  I only do one family at a time because the pups sleep a lot and the pup room is small. Bring your questions, concerns and excitement but we must keep the experience gentle and quiet.  Children need to sit on the floor as they hold a pup; parents have the option of the step or stool.  You will have to soak your shoes in some 'foam' before coming into my home. No shoes in the pup room as the pups are too risky for infections at this age.

Just email or call and we will try to make arrangements. Don't expect much - pups have very little energy at this age and may sleep through the entire 1/2 hour visit.   :+)

I added a bit of 'soft focus' to these pics.  You can see that they are truly little doggies now.  They have been nursing 100% for their nutrition so far but I may begin providing some gruel to see how they like it this week.  Gunny has been doing a great job!

Rainbow Girl - 2  3/4 lbs.

Green Boy - 2  3/4 lbs.

Orange Boy - 3  1/4 lbs.

Teal Boy - 2  3/4 lbs.

Purple Girl - 3 lbs.

Blue Boy - 3  1/4 lbs.

There is a reason to be very cautious with commercial dog food! ACANA AND ORIGEN

Please take the time to read this link!

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/lawsuit-filed-against-champion-pet-food-acana-and-orijen/

Video

I can't seem to post a video here but I did post one on my personal FB page that Gunny's customers might enjoy watching.  :+)

https://www.facebook.com/joyce.m.tabor

GUNNY X ABNER LITTER - WEEK 3

Are we excited about green beer and eggs yet?  St. Patty's Day is upon us and the pups just had to at least have on their green Leprechaun Hat in celebration!

So happy the third week is upon us. Pups can 'shuffle about' now. They keep their heads and nose close to the floor along with their bodies because this is a brand new ability. By week four, they are wanting more room for exploring and are gaining some confidence. They are not neonates (newborns) any longer and can see and hear decently. 

I shared pics of their new quarters yesterday and some are actually using the litter box! I expect 'hit or miss' at this time, but continue to place them in it after eating and when I wake them up by sitting in their area and patting them.  They continue to be a content group.  :+)

Purple Girl - 2  1/2 lbs. Apricot

Blue Boy - 2  1/2 lbs. Caramel

Green Boy - 2  1/4 lbs. Apricot

Rainbow Girl - 2  1/2 lbs.  Caramel Abstract

Teal Boy - 2  1/2 lbs. Chocolate/Cafe

Orange Boy - 2 3/4 lbs. Apricot Abstract

New arrangement for Gunny and her pups!

Between 2  1/2 and 3 weeks of age, I like to make adjustments in the pups' environment. At 3 weeks, the pups' brains are working overtime.  This is when introducing new things needs to be done slowly but constantly so that it triggers learning. 

The potty box is introduced (even though it may not be used much) - it is a step in the right direction. The high walled Perla Bed crate they have been in since birth has been removed so they now have a bit more space around them for their eyes to adjust to.  Toys are added to bump into, sleep with and begin to explore with their mouths.  All these things entice them to learn and progress.  The 'dangling' baby toys produce sounds when moved. They will startle at first but then 'learn' to produce those bells and rattles by mouthing and pawing at them.

All in all, the 3 week marker is a big one and once they start to walk, it won't be long till they are running full speed ahead!  :+)

Can you find the pups???  :+)

Is everyone digging out from under the latest snowstorm like we are?

Goodness, we have a pile of snow!  We were so close to being 'snowless' just last week!  Now look at us!  Thankfully, pups are too small yet to play outdoors, but I hope it will be gone by the time they can!

I had to resort to just clearing a path because there is no where to put snow.

Look at these piles of snow!

It is pretty though and I do love New England!

When lunchtime calls......

Today ended the Early Neurological Stimulation segment on our pups.  I am always happy when it is the last day - not because it is complicated or time consuming, but because now the pups will start to become more animated and begin to really notice the world around them. There will be numerous changes to their environment as they grow. It is a fun time for me.  :+)

While I was changing their bedding, Gunny was eating her very nutritious lunch of Life's Abundance kibble, our Simply Poultry Mix and a half can of Life's Abundance Pork and Venison - there was not a kernel left.  :+)

Then she was ready......

First, Gunny looked to see if any of them were awake. Not yet...

So, she very quietly hopped over them to settle into position then yelled 'LUNCH'!

The stragglers scooted as fast as they could to find the milk bar!

                                         

Gunny and litter have moved.

On Saturday afternoon, I decided that Gunny and her litter should be in the Pup Room. The pups did super and comfortably settled in.  Gunny was the most affected and kept checking to see if any of her babies were still in the office. Then she became 'Super Mom' and would not let any of the other doodles go near the pup room.  This is totally normal for a mom feeling she needs to 'protect' her pups.  We just made sure to be patient and very conscious of her feelings.  I knew in about 24 hours all would be well.

This morning, Gunny wanted to come in to be with the other girls and she was in a totally different mindset. I will always keep the gate to the actual pen where the pups are closed because I take no chances. However, I can now keep the gate open to the pup room from the kitchen so all the doodles can go outdoors to potty and play.  Glad that remedied quickly!  :+)

They no longer need the 'guard rails' as they have grown so much. Gunny is very careful jumping in and settling to nurse.  I clipped their nails for the first time. Collars have also been changed.  It is truly amazing how quickly pups grow. 

WOW - AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR COOPER!

I received news last night that Cooper, from my Pearl x Coriander litter (11/17/12) has achieved his 'Master Agility Champion Title'!  That is some achievement!

Actually given Pearl has an amazing ability to 'dance' upright on her hind feet and Coriander has steely-eyed determination for fetching balls, I should not be surprised, but I am proudly so.  :+)

Dale and Bob, you have both done an amazing job with darling Cooper.  Hugs to you both!

CONGRATULATIONS COOPER! WELL DONE!!!

GUNNY X ABNER'S TWO WEEK PICS!

We have company coming for a couple of days so I was up early getting ready for picture day!  I know it is a bit early to be celebrating St. Patrick's Day but the color green goes well with the pups.  They are all doing extremely well and will soon be moved to the Puppy Room. More than likely, I will do this on Sunday after my company leaves.

Purple Girl 1 lb., 11 ounces

Orange Boy - 1 lb. 13 ounces.

 

Rainbow Girl  1 lb., 11 ounces.

 

Teal Boy  1 lb., 10 ounces.

 

Green Boy  1 lb., 8 ounces.

Blue Boy  1 lb. 12 ounces.

The gang!  You can't see the one underneath the pup pile, but it is there!

All eyes are now open but sight is cloudy until another five days or so.  Ears are opening up and soon they will begin to crawl more.  Gunny is very attentive but you can see in the group pic that she still has a great affection for her small, squeaky Kong Balls.  :+) 

GREAT ROCK'S Clary McFadden of ADNE

It was a great day when I received a call about a local family wanting to be a guardian for Clary.  The fact that they had another Labradoodle and a fully fenced in yard was a huge bonus!

Pick up day!

Not only will Clary be living with another Labradoodle but two cats as well!  A son in college and a teenaged high school daughter will provide lots of attention and snuggles for Clary.  Having another doodle to chase round and round their fenced yard is icing on the cake!  We are all thrilled for how this all turned out.  The best part is that they live literally ten minutes from my home.  I want to pinch myself! Thanks so much Fall family for taking the time to really think this through for the benefit of Clary.  Wahoo!!  :+)





Words from Clary's Guardians:

Clary joined our family in March of 2018.  We have loved her dearly from the minute she walked through the door.  Her unstoppable enthusiasm for life and constant love brighten every day.  She even smiles.

She adores our 5 year old doodle, Willy and wants to do everything he does and be with him all the time.  Her favorite game is to steal Willy’s beloved ball just so she can get him to chase her round and round the house.

She loves playing in the snow – I never seen a dog so happy to bound about in it.  We call her the snow princess, when she finally tires of playing in it and comes in adorned with it.   

She a very pretty girl (especially her unique eyes that each are partially sky blue) with the softest silky hair and her personality is just wonderful.  She doesn’t have an aggressive bone in her body.   She is great with all people, young and old and is super easy going with other animals, including our two cats.  Sometimes she even shares her bed with them.

STATS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Date of Birth:  11/28/17.  A mating from Great Rock's Emmett, a dark apricot mini and Great Rock's Lilly, a chocolate/White Tuxedo patterned medium sized female.  Neither parent shed.  Clary is about 17 inches and 25 lbs.  Clary's Color/Pattern DNA is BbEe, KB/KB, at/at, S/Sp.  Clary is a black and white Abstract with white on her feet, tail tip, chest, head splash and muzzle.  Very similar to a tuxedo pattern.
• Cleared By Parents for:  Exercised Induced Collapse, Progressive Rod Atrophy, Incorrect Coat, von Willebrand's Disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
• Thyroid:  Normal on 12/20/18.  OFA#HY-TH547/12F-PI.  TgAA is 1.
• Patellae:  Normal on 12/4/18.  OFA#HY-PA2172/12F/P-VPI
• Leg-Calves-Perthes:  Done on 12/6/18 is Normal.  OFA#HY-LP90/12F-VPI
• Eye Exam:  Normal on 11/27/18.  OFA#HY-EYE1729/11F-VPI
• Hip Structure:  PennHIP at a year of age is .54/.48. Dr. Wallace eVet rated her as 'Good' with normal Elbows.
• Heart - Done on 10/28/17.  Auscultation and ECHOcardiogram are Normal.